Scripture is full of images to help us understand the important truths it reveals. One of my favorite images for pastoral ministry is that of the shepherd. This is the image Christ uses to describe his own loving care of us, his sheep. It’s also an image used to describe the work of pastors (in fact, the title “pastor” reflects this shepherding nature of the work). Another favorite of mine is the image of pilgrims on the road to a very definite destination. Sometimes our English translations use the word “sojourner” or the phrase “on the way” to describe Christians and the Christian life. It is a “walk” in the wisdom literature of the Old Testament and the epistles of the New Testament. We are exiles here, and the Christian life—lived between freedom from the bondage of slavery to sin and entrance into the promised land of the New Heaven and the New Earth—is our own exodus.

The reason I love these images is that once we have grasped them, they become simple shorthand to remind ourselves and our brothers and sisters around us who we are and what we are about. What we see with our eyes and perceive with our senses is real, but it is not ultimate. There is a deeper truth about life, reality, and eternity. And it is so hard to remember this as we go about our days. Who we are, who we belong to, where we are going, and how we are getting there must always be kept before our hearts and minds. And the image of the sojourner does this beautifully. 

Brothers and sisters, we must never forget that this world—this fallen world which is ordained for judgment and destruction—is not our home. We are exiles here, but we are bound for the promised land. We are sons and daughters of the King and we are en route to his perfect kingdom. So let us cling to Christ in faith, remember the promises, and live in this world in the here and now as children of God on the road.

Your fellow servant of Christ,
Pastor Matt